mks 647c control

[RogerW]

Hello Dennis,

The write.VI is what I try to transmit default value on pc into instrument.

The Read_channel Set_Gascontrol.VI is that I try to read the channel number and set the gas factor for instrument.

In the first one, my concept is that I can acquire data from initialize.VI, and then write it into instrument.

For the second one, it shows no error, but I can't get any data from instrument, neither set the gas factor into it.

Thanks for your kindly help!

[Dennis_Knutson]

Please stop using the initialize function for anything except what it is intended for. Your Write program is just plain silly. It makes absolutely no sense at all. I don't think you have any concept of how serial communication works and how the VISA Read and VISA Write is supposed to work.

Stick with the functions that are in the driver. Don't try to write any of your own. I thought you said you were able to read from the instrument? Have you tried any of the example VIs that are part of the driver (i.e. Getting Started 647)?

[RogerW]

Hello Dennis,

You are right. I am a beginner learning labview and advisor assigned this work to me.

I just want to get things done and well.

I tried the examples in the driver really, and I can read the instrument ID message (i.e. MGC 647C  V3.6 - Apr 22 2005)

from the getting started 647. The attached file is what kind of VIs I used in driver in order

to read something from instrument and write data into it including read channel, setpoint GAS channel

, and read PCS, ID, Pressure.

Thanks a lot for your patience of help!

[RogerW]

Hello Dennis,

Actually, I tried other VIs in the driver which are MKS 647 set MFC, and it work properly.

For example, in 647 set Gas Factor.VI, if I change gas factor to 50, the instrument shows 0.5 and 100 for 1.

I can write the data into instrument already.

After browsing the functions in those VIs, I have a question. For the RS232 communication in this case,

it seems that we have to convert numeric value into string, and send it bit by bit, so the

instrument can read it, does it ?

I am going to figure out more about this driver.

Thank you for the kindly help!

[ertancevik]

hi, i want to control mks 647 C from pc but i dont make rs232 cable connection. There are three rs232 handshake,

1. No handshake,

2. Software handshake

3. Hardware Handshake,

Which i will use in that handshake ??

pls help me.

[chris_amadasun]

Hello, you should check with the manufacture of your device to determine the type of handshaking you should use.

[memoman]

Here is a sample program that you can use to control the MKS 647c unit. I have created some subVIs to make it look neat. I have tried the handshake for a long time but I wasn't able to get it work with a USB-serial converter since my computer doesn't have any empty Serial ports. let me know if this works.

[brendel2]

memoman,

I've tried running your program to communicate w/ the 647c, but the device does not respond at all.  I've done a loopback test and confirmed my COM port works fine.  Do you have any hints/suggestions that might help me out?

Thanks in advance,

-Mike

[brendel2]

Dennis,

I came upon this thread while trying to communicate with the same device (MKS 647C).  I downloaded the same drivers as the original poster, but cannot communicate with the controller at all (I cannot even read any data from the unit).  I am very new to LabView and serial communication in general, and would appreciate it if you could suggest any way in which I can go about resolving this problem.

I believe to have confirmed that the PC's COM port is functioning properly, via a loop-back test.

Thanks in advance,

-Mike Brendel

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

[memoman]

Mike,

I have issues with this software as well. But I was able to communicate and control the flow meter with this program. I haven't used this program in a while. I will check it again to see if there is an error in the communication. However, there was a minor bug with the initialization of connection and I didn't try to fix it back in the day.